You miss the point. This is a decision that will be known in every board room of every corporation looking to relocate. It'll be known to every grant committee, both private and public, with money to give away. And it'll be known to every science teacher with an advanced degree looking for work.
The right or wrong of it only matters up to a certain point. The long term effects will be based on perception.
And I predict they'll never be enacted. The standards don't go into effect until 2007. In 2006 half the board is up for reelection, and 3 of the 4 voted for the new standards. I wouldn't surprise me in the least if two were defeated. We went through this a couple of years ago.